ckendall - Collaborative Projects and Distance Learning

There are several ways to think about collaborative projects. They may be a classroom to classroom project, or involve multiple classrooms; they may be local or
international; they may require only email or perhaps a collaborative authoring space such as a wiki or Google doc. Collaborative Projects involve students in other classes, other schools, other countries.

Planning questions

1. I would like to connect my students... (How? With whom? In order to do what?)
2. What are the learning outcomes of participating? (Why participate? How will this experience strengthen learning?)
3. Nuts and Bolts: In order to make this happen I will/must....

Collaborative Projects

Involve your students with students in other classes, other schools, other countries! Collaborative projects may or may not involve video conferencing - it may simply be an exchange of information, may use Skype, may last only one day or span a period of time.

Find Collaborative Projects

TWICE: Two Way Interactive Connections in Education
- Collaborations Around the Planet or CAPspace at TWICE - you must register for an account in order to
  browse/search the events.
  - Author, Specialist, Knowledge (ASK) Programconnects students and authors in a structured learning opportunity - registration required through Collaborations Around the Planet (CAPspace)
    - Read more about the ASK project and view example videos.
Center for Engineering and Science Education at Stevens Institute of Technology
ClassChats
Flat Classroom Project targets middle and high school students in global projects
Global Education Collaborative
iEarn
Kidlink
Projects by Jen - well-structured projects and resources for elementary students that can serve as a template for secondary projects
Digiteen Project
Flat Classrooms Ning - find other classrooms to collaborate

Virtual Field Trips

Generally involve two-way conferencing at an appointed time, with some pre- and post-activity structured by the teacher. This is a great way to connect with experts and visit remote locations

Virtual Field Trips and Polycom Special Events

A Hotlist of Virtual Field Trips
NASA Distance Learning Network (DLN) - The DLN offers over 40 interactive events that feature NASA-related science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) content for K-12 students.
Polycom Special Events - available at no or little cost to Polycom users
Shout Learning is run by the Smithsonian and connects students globally - many museums now have outreach programs!

Learn More

Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration
Learning Beyond Walls: 28 Resources for Your Students to Connect Globally is a resource-rich article on Shelly Terrell's blog
Out on a Lim - Janine Lim's blog about videoconferencing and distance learning

Image Credit:
BlueMarble, NASA, http://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/ve/174/BlueMarble.jpg